Method and machine for forming rings



Dec. 29, 193-1. G. A. VlS 1,838,892

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS Filed March 15. 192 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR: 0'60)" efl ATTORNEY.

Dec. 29, 1931, G. A. vls

. METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING RINGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15. 1927 1 INVENTOR.

fieorqefl By a ATTORNEy Dec. 29, 1931. G. A. VlS

' METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING. RINGS Filed March 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvsmozv Gear e M l/ ATTORNEY.

29, 1931. G. A. VlS 1,838,892

' cums FOR FORMING BIN Filed March 15, @927 4 Sheets-Sheet v 4 A TTOR NE Y.

Patented Dec. 29, 1931 scones A VI s, o3 nn'l goig'tg, MICHIGAN, ASSIGfiOR TO nnnniwmnnn coMPA iviETnbn AND For; FORMING RINGS 1 Application filed Marqh15, 1927,,"Se11 ialNo. 111545 A h r s nti v sticn Q I P i e e ho f "teem n l ets Oi, rregu a c ea es- 11 and the apparatus f opper fonming -that meth- 061. Although therfollowipg description is 3:: specifically concerncclwith but one form of such ing winds; a o-call d, qulck detachble, 3 fr he m u i g f Pneuma ic type Yehicle tire, the invention is obv ously epablwi he p o s s Su h I efli d. end i 15 apparatus, for car l ying it out are tlielnaln objects of the invention. Mp re specifically,

itis an object of the inventionftoprovide a nietliod WhGTGbyfiring' a s ei f s mime form'anglsize in one openatlon,

i a si gle machin wh in? i l e 'ib lif PTOCBSS ps h e qf e earn d t- 1 611 ll,t8;m21ClfllDS, are combined," Theproyision o novel de ail of su 'amadi n mpri still er j ct of the venti iih e nei im and e en my of Op io a the. m t end ns a v t iing from the use of the invention,

1 The usual practice ogfi n al ulg'acturers oftire im has b n, and stil is, e use fQ r arate machines and process. steps in finishing a rough rim that has been previously prepared by the successiye steps ojf bending, butt ding a d; trimm n he i fold? a: chines maybeof the well-known types shown in patents to CharlesiG. Grotnes, Numbers eseoe's, 1, a5s,;7sa and 1,407,148 issued Na vember 5 1918, May 29th 1923 and'Februar y 21, "1922, and entitled; Rolling lnachine?, Expanding machine and Forming 11 1a chine" respectively. The above machines are u d s essi e y iniithe O e ati n 0 e l i (which usually requirestwo machines, each carry ng out past of the workof forming) expanding to an oyeysiz e and contracting to. final SIZHQ. The necess ty of these steps, aylses frorn tl e use of commercial shapes which re qui a fina r cti icati ndi em th Q p ib ty cf o aie es'fi -ex ct siz o ring desilged by means ofthe ondinany processesof manu a r Am-ra i th final pr du therefore demands a forminglstep: or stepsto give th iq leb he corte rews-se ms;

much bioaclerQ use and interppe-f he @Xi a tr ss Q? ei ndms see to e me the elastlpity of; the metal'and bringtlie findv t n t ex t ze- The present invention conibiuestl e strucf' chine, and, b'yuiefuse of special dies add1i,1 plisl es, in the combined lll achinefthefinal fie 'm n -f th asw na fi e mes y x ndi wad i re t ng' te'jsq The r w ng h "Lafe- 'a ibhe he e q,

tune of an expanding and, "contractinginsa whi h m, be: i l e ifi a i fl ol s r t a mb dime f h i ii tiqii dapted t form a p i c y e 9f V s n a a tiye tire rim, and comprise: ,Another object of the in ention is to pro.-

ment of thedieslo f this-figure is great y aeeemeaaah respect $9.35 to sh'o F r a p r'ozf ewes, 'l h ms-he ia? he w a he @QEIQLI m re C yo,

movement ofth tion ithe m chine crankshaf F u 7.2a; de in cl iney; 1 V l I c V Fi urw, f wr v ws of th rking head oet emaun s el b d e I th Sets?- Partse}. moved; a a s j FlgWZ Qflltlgfal secti guneus, a s

Mingch nism; Fisun llfl eriltifig 1 i Fi ure 5;? mme d; used; and i a men. .Qe mu F sms l2 a d 13 h ies draw tQ' asses scale e looking il rhe eeeti s i 1 Of he) tack, as we 8 cache mft 14, 1 9

ures, which as are adapted to supporting pneulnatlc tires, it has been found most economical and satisfactory in general to use rolls 30, 31 as shown in Figure 12, which produce a strip substantially similar to the finished article in cross section, but requiring minor adjustments of such parts as the flange F and the gutter G to make the rough stock suitable for use in the finished article, which is shown fragmentarily in Figure 13. Therein flange f has been bent up to substantially a right angle with the rim base 1 and its curved portion slightly re-shaped, while the gutter g has been curled up to make a shorter bend and shaped to make a more acute angle witlrthc rim base 1". It is this formation, which has heretofore been done by two rolling operations; and'the sizing of the rim, which has heretofore been doneby expanding and contract ing the same, that the present invention accomplishes in one machine.

Referring to the first six figures of the drawings, the manner in which the operations of expanding, forming and contracting a partly formed tire rim are accomplished in one machine is clearly shown. Figures 1 to 5 are drawn with reference to the axis XX shown at the extreme left of said figaxis represents the common center of the two circular die forms produced by the two groups of expander and contractor dies respectively.

Movements to the right, therefore, in Figures 1 to 6, represent movement outward from the axis XX of the machine, while movements to the left indicate inward move ments with respect to the machine. The dies E and C shown sectionally in these views are representative of one of the several dies which together comprise thesctwo groups.

Figure 6, by means of two curves labeled respectively 0 and 0, shows graphically the relative movements of the above two sets of dies. Thus it is seen that both dies start from the most widely separated point I at 0,

or the beginning of a cycle of operations. Upon rotation of the operating shaftof the machine the expander dies E begin to move outward and the contractor dies C to move inward. At a point III there is a slight dwell in the inward movement of the contractor dies C, at which point the expander dies have reached their maximum outward movement, as shown by curve 6. Following this, the expander dies rapidly fall back to their innermost position while the contractor dies continue a relatively slow inward movement to a minimum radius at a point labeled IV on the curve 0. Thereafter the contractor dies retreat outwardly from the center leaving the formedring free for removal from the machine. v

Having thus explained the sequence of movement of the dies as shown inFigure 6, the first five figures picture the results of this operation on a rough ring. The ring, designated generally by R, is in the present case a rim of a well known form adapted to carry a pneumatic tire and comprises a side flange F joined to a cylindrical base portion at one side and a gutter or channel G at the other side of said portion in which a split removable side rin or flange similar in shape to the finished flange f (Fig. 13) is adapted to seat. As shown in Figure 1, the roughly formed ring R is of substantially cylindrical contour although the cylindrical middle section is shown as slightly conical in shape. The assumption of a slight conical form by the roughly-bent rim is due to the fact that its axis of least bending strength or neutral axis does not lie in the plane of the straight body portion of the rim It, but at an angle thereto, because of the unsymmetrical relation of the flange F and the gutter G to the said body of the rim. The position of the dies in this figure is the loading position corresponding to the points II on the curves 6 and c of Figure 6. Upon movement of the dies to the position of Figure 2 which corresponds to the points IIII of Figure 6 the flange F of the rim, which has been supported upon a spring leaf .9 attached to the die E, is lifted upwards upon the rounded portion 13 of the die E, and with the adjacent portions of the rim base, is gradually stretched, while the edge of the gutter G has been pushed upwards against the surface 20 of the die G. As the dies E and C continue their mutual approaching movements the lip of the gutter G slides over the adjoining slanting faces 20, 20 (shown more clearly on an enlarged scale in Fig. 14:) of the contractor die C, thus initiating an increased bending or curling up of the gutter G. The relative motion of the two dies E and G at this point is compounded of the outward movement of E and the inward movement of C. Further approach of the dies brings the projecting ridge 21 against the inside of the gutter G of the rim, pressing it inward against the corresponding portion 11 of the expander die E. At a point corresponding to the point III on the curves 0 and c of Figure 6, the dies E and C have come together. upon the rim which is now in its finished state designated by r at this, and succeeding points. The slight dwell in the inward movement of the contractor die C, which has been remarked above, occurs while the work of completing the formation of the rim is done by the expander dies in their outward movement at this time. (The dwell at point III on thecurves is so slight, of a few degrees duration only, as to be unnoticeable on the scale to which the curves are drawn.) During this nearer approach of the dies E and their action upon the rim R approaches that of die pressing rather than their previous bending and stretching action. This die 'lpressing :action results .in' 1a at thesame time bending up the gutterbodily so as :to make it. assume a. more acute angle, as shown by g, to. the body of the rim than heretofore. In this final pressing operation thesurfaces lOandll of die E cooperate with surfaces of:20, 21 of die C in shaping the gutter 9;; surfaces :12 and '22 of dies E, C, respectively, cooperate and insure straightnessof the body of the rim r; while surfaces 13 and 23 cooperate toshape the flange f. In

F. 'gure'4 the expander dies E have returnedto theiroriginal position. leaving the completely formed xrim supported on the faces of. the contractor dies C which continue to move inwardly at a relatively slow pace, thus contacting the rim to a diameter which is the final size of the rim, less the amount-which the rim will-expand upon release. The positions=of the dies .in this viewcorrespond to the points -IVIV in Figure :6. Upon :re-

t treat of :the die C to its original outward position as shown in Figure 5 the finished rim falls on the springsupport s and 'is ready to be removed from the machine.

The structure of the improved machine in which the novel dies arecarriedandoperated accordingto the above describedmethod corresponds ina greatmanyrespects to the" machines'of Patent: Nos. 1,456,734 and 1,407,148 mentioned above. r

As shown in Figure 'Z, the external appearance of the machine isvery like that of.

the latter patent and the "blocks 42- which carry the contractor dies C "are operated in the same way by means of anadjustable reciprocating member 44 which bears at'its upper end a table 43 on "which the blocks .42 slide in radial grooves, being operated :in and out by means 'of toggle levers 41 similar in every respect to thoseof the above mentioned Patent No. 1,407,148. .A novel and highly dissimilar structure .however,4is provided to operate the'expander dies of theinew machine. The expander =dies are carried on suitable blocks similar to the previously described blocks 42 but differing from those of the 'above mentioned Patent No. 1,456,734 in that they have bearing, not upon-the sup porting table directly, but upon an inward, grooved extension 42 of the die supporting block 42. Toggle levers I61, connect these blocks 601toa:collar 62,;-which is fastened to another concentric collar 63, thelatter having a bearingupon an-operating shaft 48, which permits a relative sliding motion longitudinally but is keyed as at to prevent relative rotation. Due to the necessity of providing for adjustment of the travel of the expander dies a lost-motion connection is provided between the operating shaft 48 and the collar 63 which operates the toggle levers its attached parts. i

61.. This .lostmotibn operating connectionris in the form of two pivoted dogs which are pivoted on the first mentioned .collarz62 and "which ihavescontact EPlGCQS *65' adapted tooverhang cooperating pieces 66 carried on ring-:66. These cooperating contact ,:pieces 65 and 66. i are made of suitable hard material to withstand the wearof operation. Thering 66 .is :adjustably carried on the operating shaft 48 :by means rOf .a threaded connection at 69, thus providingffor'adj ustment of the ring 66 relative to thesaid operating shaft. A larger ring 67 of 'rigid construction is carried above the members :60 which: beargthe expander dies E. and is spacedfrom the table 43 :to which it is bolted, by means of distance pieces orspacers (not shown)"of the iproper length to permit free movement of both of the sliding die bearing members 42,60 there-I under. Upon this ring 67 are provideducontact surfaces 68 which engage withtheouter surfaces ofjthe pivoted dogs65, "permitting their disengagement at aselected point-.onthe outward stroke ofthe shaft 48 and-similarly, ensuring re-engagement-of thedogs :65 with the'ring 66 on the inward stroke of the shaft 48. "By means of this construction it :israpparent that various degrees' of movemento'f the 'dies E are permitted at, the same time allowing thenormal stroke of theshaft 48, which is constant, to be unhampered.

As shown in Figures 7, 10 and 11, the cen; tral operating shaft 48 is moved from a crank shaft S throughthe agency of the crank 50 and connecting rod 49. The table 43 ismoved by 'means'ofcams 47 placed on eitherside of the crank 50 on the shafts. The-cams 47 engage suitable rollers carried on a cross head 44 which is adapted to engage a'second sliding member through a wedge adjusting member 54 similar to that shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,407,148, thus .providing an adjustable operating connection for the contractor die mechanism. The operate ing shaft 48 passes through a centralycavity in the said cross head 44, wedge 54 and-its cooperating slide. In order to effect return of the table 43, should the forcerof gravity be insuflicient to cause such return, auxiliary cams 47' are attached to theoperating-cams 47. The said auxilliary cams 47 engage suitable rollers on a pair ofpull back levers 46 which are connected through. a pivoted connecting link: with a pairof pull back rods 45 which are attached to the underside of the table 43. A spring 46' furnishc-saresilient connection between the said, connecting rod .and the lever 146 thus providing asaifety feature in case of amming of the table43-or .The crank shaft. S bykmeans at which both sets .of dies'are-operated is driven as in the aforesaid "patents by a train of gears (not shown) whose shaftsarecarried in bearings 51, 51; A platform 52 is provided on the described machine to support an electric motor or a counter-shaft for the application of power to the machine. The remainder of the machine is very fully in the aforesaid Patent No. 1,407,148. For example, the ring 40, which provides an abutment for the various toggle links 41 of the contracting die mechanism, is supported from the frame of the machine by a structure exactly similar to that of said patent. Also the hand wheel 53 is provided to adjust the movement of the contracting die mechanism as in the above patent. A feature not shown therein, however, is a series of springs 41 which press against the table 43 and are connected to the die bearers 42 through a threaded bolt connection, thus providing means for taking up lost motion in the operating mechanism of said die bearing blocks and for preventing undesirable downward movements of those blocks, which are above the center half of the machine, due to their weight. For convenience of manufacture and adjustment, the dies E and Care made sectional, the component parts thereof being divided by shims, as shown in Fig. 9. By practicing the new method provided by this invention it is apparent that a. single machine is enabled to replace the three pieviously used for the same purpose, performing the same work with the same eiiiciency as heretofore but with much greater economy. What I claim is r 1. The method of making formed rings com risin stretchin a rin as a whole be- P3 D D yond its desired size, forming said ring in the stretching operation and contracting it as a whole to its final radial dimension subsequent to forming it.

2. The method of making formed rings comprising expanding a ring as a whole beyond its desired size, forming said ring to its final axial dimension while under tension and finally contracting it as a whole to the desired size.

8. Apparatus for making formed rings comprising a group of dies movable radially inward toward a common center, another group of dies movable radially outward from T said center, said groups of dies having their opposed faces shaped to conform substantially'to the deslred form of the ring, and means for moving and timing the movements of said dies to cause them to stretch the ring by the outward movement of one group of dies, to form it by the relative approach of both groups of dies, and finally, to size it by the inward movement of the other group of dies.

4. Apparatus for forming rings comprising a group of movable dies, a second group of dies movable thereover, and a common means for moving both groups of said dies in opposite directions, including means for moving the dies toward each other, arresting the outer dies as the inner dies reach their maximum outer position and continuing the movement of the outer dies to a predetermined position, coincidently with a more rapid reverse movement of the inner dies.

5. An apparatus for forming complete rims having gutters comprising an inner group of movable dies, an outer group of movable dies, means for moving said groups in opposite directions toward each other, the working faces of the inner grou 3 conforming with the cross section of the fimshed rim exclusive of the completed gutter, the working faces of the outer dies conforming to the cross section of the finished rim exclusive of the completed gutter, and means carried by the outer dies to form the completed gutter.

6. The method of forming and sizing rings comprising the approach of the outer and inner faces of the ring by radially movable outer and inner forming dies to give the ring the desired form, the quick retraction of the inner forming dies after forming, and the subsequent continued inward movement of the outer forming dies to size the ring.

7. The method of forming and sizing rings comprising the approach of the outer and inner faces of the ring by radially movable outer and inner sets of forming dies to give the ring the desired form, the brief stoppage of the approach movement of the outer set of dies during forming, the quick retraction of the inner set of dies from the forming positions, and the subsequent continued approach of the outer set of dies to size the ring.

8. Apparatus for forming and sizing rings comprising outer and inner sets of radially movable forming dies, means for aproaching the said sets of dies to form the ring, means for quickly retracting the inner set after forming, and means for continuing the inward movement of the outer dies after forming to size the ring.

9. Apparatus for forming and sizing rings comprising outer and inner sets of radially movable dies shaped to the form of the ring desired, means for simultaneously approaching the sets of dies to form the ring, means for causing said outer set of dies to dwell at the final forming position, and means for rapidly retracting the inner set of dies from said position and for continuing the inward movement of the outer set of dies after the dwell to size the rings.

In testimony whereof he hereunto aflixes his signature.

GEORGE A. WS. 

